Where pilot salaries sit against the national average
Pilot salaries in Australia are not a single figure. They vary significantly by the type of aircraft flown, the role (captain or first officer), and the sector (airline, general aviation, or aerial application). The Air Pilots Award [MA000046] from the Fair Work Ombudsman sets minimum hourly rates that apply from 14 July 2026. These rates provide a benchmark for where pilot pay sits relative to the national full-time adult average.
The national full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings is $2,083.70, according to the ABS Average Weekly Earnings survey for May 2026. That works out to about $108,352 a year (52 weeks). This is the line used on this site. The full-time median is lower, at about $90,532 (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025), and the all-employees median is about $74,100.
Award rates for airline and general aviation pilots
The award lists hourly rates for captains and first officers on various aircraft. For a captain on a single-engine aircraft under 1360 kg, the rate is $29.47 per hour. On a 38-hour week, that annualises to roughly $58,200 – well below the national full-time average. At the other end, a captain on a wide-body double-deck aircraft earns $119.93 per hour, or about $237,000 a year, more than double the average.
First officers earn less. For example, a first officer on a single-engine aircraft under 1360 kg earns $26.45 per hour (about $52,200 annualised), while one on a multi-engine aircraft over 3360 kg earns $27.88 per hour (about $55,100 annualised).
Aerial application operations
The award also covers pilots in aerial spraying and similar work. Weekly rates are given for different experience levels. A pilot with 0 to 1000 flying hours in the first six months earn $978.10 per week (about $50,861 a year), while those with over 3000 hours earn $1,116.80 per week (about $58,100 a year). All these are below the national full-time average.
How the national average and minimum wage compare
The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, about $52,255 a year. Most pilot award rates are above that. For example, the lowest captain rate is $29.47, and even the lowest first officer rate is $26.45.
State-by-state averages
Full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings vary by state. For instance, Western Australia averages $2,227.40 per week ($115,825 a year), while Tasmania averages $1,846.30 ($96,008). A pilot earning the award minimum for a small aircraft would be below most state averages, while a wide-body captain would be above all.
Converting annual salaries to hourly rates
If you have an annual salary figure, the Fair Work Ombudsman provides a guide for converting to hourly rates under the Pilots Award. For full-time and part-time, divide by 52 then by 38. For casuals, divide by 800 then add 25% loading.
Where to place your salary on the line
If you are a pilot, you can place a salary on the line to see how it compares to the national full-time average. The tool uses a 38-hour week and shows the weekly and hourly equivalent, plus the distance from the average. You can also explore states and territories for local averages or job medians for other occupations.
Summary
Pilot salaries in Australia span a wide range. Entry-level roles in small aircraft pay below the national full-time average, while senior captains on large jets earn well above. The award minimums provide a floor, but actual pay may be higher through enterprise agreements or individual contracts. For the most accurate comparison, use the site's tool with your own salary.